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FACTS & STATS: Site: Rynearson Stadium (30,200) -- Ypsilanti, Michigan. Television: ESPN Game Plan, ESPN3.com. Home Record: Ball State 3-1, EMU 4-0. Away Record: Ball State 1-3, EMU 1-3. Neutral Record: Ball State 1-0, EMU 0-0. Conference Record: Ball State 3-2, EMU 3-1. Series Record: Ball State leads, 29-21-2.

GAME NOTES: One of the biggest surprises in the Mid-American Conference this season has been the play of Eastern Michigan and the Eagles will try to continue their impressive run when they host the Ball State Cardinals this Saturday at Rynearson Stadium.

The Cardinals cannot seem to stay on track this season. Ball State has posted two different two-game winning streaks, but the first one was followed by consecutive losses and the second one was backed up by a 45-35 setback to Western Michigan this past weekend. The loss to the Broncos dropped Ball State to just 3-2 in MAC play.

Toledo and Northern Illinois were expected to fight for the West Division title in the MAC this season, but no one thought the Eagles would make this a three-team race. However, that seems to be the case as Eastern Michigan comes into this weekend with a 3-1 mark, tied with Northern Illinois at the moment. Since falling to the Rockets, the Eagles have won back-to-back games, defeating Central Michigan and Western Michigan.

In terms of the all-time series between the two schools the Cardinals hold a 29-21-2 edge over Eastern Michigan.

In Ball State's previous three losses the Cardinals totaled just 13 points, and while it posted 35 points last time out, the result was still a loss to Western Michigan.

Keith Wenning threw for 335 yards and three touchdowns, but the quarterback also tossed two costly interceptions. Both touchdowns went in the direction of Briggs Orsbon, who finished with 103 yards on 10 receptions. The Cardinals even found plenty of running room in the contest, rumbling for 220 yards and two scores. Barrington Scott led the way with 104 yards and one score, while Jahwan Edwards contributed 54 yards and one touchdown.

Overall it was a strong showing by an offense that has been far too inconsistent. The rushing attack has been solid with Edwards leading the way with 625 yards and nine scores. However, Wenning comes into this weekend with just 13 touchdowns against eight interceptions.

The defense was the reason for Ball State's recent loss, as the unit was picked apart for 45 points and 610 yards. The majority of the yardage came through the air, as the Cardinals were torched for 465 yards and three touchdowns.

That has been a recipe for success for the opposition, who are averaging 290.1 yards per game through the air with 19 touchdown passes. However, stopping the run has also been a big issue for this defense and at this point the Cardinals are being gashed for nearly 200.0 yards per game.

If there has been a bright spot for this defense it would be the play of Travis Freeman, who is leading the team with 86 tackles and four sacks.

For years the Eagles were without an identity offensively, but that has changed this season as coach Ron English has turned Eastern Michigan into a running team.

The Eagles head into this weekend averaging a robust 226.1 ypg on the ground and have a few players that are dangerous with the ball in their hands. Javonti Greene is leading the squad with 537 yards and five touchdowns, while Dominique White also found the end zone five times, to go along with 464 yards. Even quarterback Alex Gillett is producing on the ground, rumbling for 439 yards.

In the team's win over Western Michigan, the Eagles rumbled for 205 yards and one touchdown. The touchdown came from Greene, who finished with 61 yards, but the player that led the charge was Dominique Sherrer, who racked up 86 yards on 11 tackles.

Since the Eagles are a running team, Gillett has not been called on to throw the ball much. But in the win over the Broncos, the quarterback was able to throw for 144 yards and one touchdown.

The offense has come around for EMU, but now coach English needs the defense to buckle down. Eastern Michigan was able to do so against Western Michigan, allowing just 10 points, but it was a rare showing by the unit.

The Eagles were able to limit the Broncos to just 198 yards through the air, and that is very surprising since the team has been torched by the opposition on the year, allowing 226.8 ypg via the pass, and out of the 22 touchdowns allowed by this unit, 16 have come via the pass.

It hasn't always been pretty, but the Eagles have gotten the job done and they should once again prove to be a tough team to beat this weekend. Look for Eastern Michigan to use a heavy dose of the run en route to another home win.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Eastern Michigan 28, Ball State 13